Rolo walks free after months in kennel

ARVADA – A German Shepherd was released from a kennel on Tuesday and is now home after his owner battled for months to save the dog's life.

Rolo, the dog at the center of the much-publicized case, was released after animal control officers certified a new, tall fence as being safe. The new fence was one of the requirements a judge put in place before Rolo could be released.

In late February, Rolo's owner, Laura Hagan, was found guilty of having a dangerous dog, but a judge ruled the dog would not be put down. Instead, the judge wanted Hagan to also put her dog through behavioral training classes and Hagan was required to carry $100,000 in liability insurance, in addition to the new fence.

The Arvada judge decided that Rolo was not vicious, even though it bit a neighbor last year.

The story of Hagan and Rolo gained the public's attention in December when Hagan attempted to camp out in front of the courthouse in protest.

"So many days picketing, so many days on the computer, on the phones, trying to work, trying to visit him," said Hagan.

Rolo was allowed to return home on Tuesday for the first time in more than six months.

"If he only knew how famous he was," said Hagan on Tuesday.

Hagan says she was thrilled when she learned Rolo would finally come home.

"Ecstatic. Yesterday was excruciating, waiting and waiting, but we finally got it done – all of our papers. We're legal to go home," said Hagan.

Rolo has already started the new training classes.

"The training is really more for you, not the dog," said Hagan.

"He's been learning the basic commands, he's been learning some manners, he's been learning that people are in charge and he's been responding well," said dog trainer Ted Terroux.

With practice, Hagan believes Rolo will be perfect.

"He's my child. He's one of my family members. He's a sweet dog, caring, almost telepathic, excitable. That's why we need the training," she said.

"This dog is not a threat to anyone," said Terroux. "I think the city of Arvada overstepped it. I think their laws are way to far reaching."

The city told 9NEWS on Tuesday the cost of the additional court proceedings involving Rolo, beyond the base salaries that would normally be paid, totaled $8,000. That does not include the thousands Hagan paid for his incarceration.

"Give him a chance to prove he's not the monster," said Terroux.

"I want my neighbors to feel safe as they should be, as they should feel," said Hagan.